Shakur and Ebi are both considered the top players at their postitions and this honor solidifies them as two of the top players in the country. Kris Humphries, David Padgett and Brian Butch also considered Arizona. Humphries took an unofficial visit, while both Butch and Pdgett had Arizona among their finalists. The finalists were selected by a vote of the Naismith Prep Awards Selection Committee of leading basketball coaches, journalists and administrators. The final ballots are being mailed this week with these finalists on the ballot. Members of the selection committee were asked to name top male and female players who are most deserving of the award.
The winners of the Naismith Award, the most prestigious individual honor in college and high school basketball, will be presented their award in Atlanta on Friday, April 11, 2003.
The finalists for the Naismith Awards, listed alphabetically, are as follows (name of high school and hometown are included):
MALE
Shannon Brown/Proviso East H.S./Maywood, IL
Brian Butch/West H.S./Appleton, WI
Luol Deng/Blair Academy/Blairstown, NJ
Ndudi Ebi/Westbury Christian/Houston, TX
Kris Humphries/Hopkins H.S./Minnetonka, MN
LeBron James/St. Vincent-St. Mary/Akron, OH
David Padgett/Reno H.S./Reno, NV
Kendrick Perkins/Ozen H.S./Beaumont, TX
Mustafa Shakur/Friends Central H.S./Wynnewood, PA
Charlie Villanueva/Blair Academy/Blairstown, NJ
FEMALE
Alison Bales/Beavercreek H.S./Beavercreek, OH
Jessica Davenport/Independence H.S./Independence, OH
Lauren Ervin/Inglewood H.S./Inglewood, CA
Alexis Hornbuckle/Capital H.S./Charleston, WV
Natasha Humphrey/Gainesville H.S./Gainesville, GA
Brittany Hunter/Brookhaven H.S./Columbus, OH
Tiffany Jackson/Duncanville H.S./Dallas, TX
Candace Parker/Naperville Central H.S./Naperville, IL
Noelle Quinn/Bishop Montgomery/Torrance, CA
Dorian Williams/Jean Ribault H.S./Jacksonville, FL
The Naismith Awards program, now in its 35th year, honors the outstanding prep basketball players in the United States. The awards program was founded by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, an organization dedicated to recognizing the achievements of excellence in basketball for student athletes. Please visit our web page at for more information on the Naismith Awards and past winners.